WordCraft

Today’s writers have more options than ever before when it comes to sharing their work with the world – but how do you decide if independent or DIY publishing are the best fit for your work? And if so, what do you really need to know to successfully launch a self-published or small press work? Joe Mahoney shares his journey as a retired broadcaster, author, and founder of Donovan Street Press, a R...

If your goal is to have your writing published, there will inevitably come a time when you start searching for an agent. This is your champion, the person who will help you navigate the world between the page and the publishing house. Part reader, part editor, part negotiator, and part fan, a literary agent is a creative business partner who knows what the industry wants and how to place you withi...

Episode Summary: There are few Canadians with as much editing mentorship on their resume as Brian Henry. The man behind the Quick Brown Fox blog has helped thousands with his newsletters and online resources, as well as nearly three decades as an editor, writer, and creative writing instructor. While he was facilitating several workshops for WFNB, he sat down with Jenna to talk about the process o...

Robert J. Sawyer is perhaps Canada’s most decorated science fiction writer. He has 25 novels published, is a prolific contributor to magazines and anthologies, and has received the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, and multiple Aurora Awards, among other accolades. He’s also the keynote speaker and workshop leader at WFNB’s 2026 WordSpring. In advance of his visit,...

Episode Summary: The tenth annual New Brunswick Book Awards were handed out in May 2025, celebrating writing excellence in poetry, fiction, nonfiction and books for young readers. In this episode, we hear from two of the four award winners about the impact of the awards. Featured in this episode are Michael Pacey, whose Van Gogh’s Grasshopper won the Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize, and Keith Helmuth...

The tenth annual New Brunswick Book Awards were handed out in May 2025, celebrating writing excellence in poetry, fiction, nonfiction and books for young readers. In our next two episodes, we hear from the winners about the impact of being recognized for their work. Featured in this episode are Nelson Keane, whose debut novel,  Nachzehrer  (published by Galleon), won the 2025 Mrs. Dunster’s Award...

Episode Summary: To mark the 10th anniversary of its creation, WFNB is proud to shine a light on the history and future of the New Brunswick Book Awards. Host Jenna Morton brings together original committee members Ross Leckie, Ian LeTourneau, Rosalyn Hyslop, and Rayanne Brennan to reminisce, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how the awards first came together, how they’ve evolved, and what they...

Episode Summary: Emerging writers in New Brunswick might at first be wary of the word competition – but previous participants in the WFNB’s annual Writing Competition say the experience helped them find community and confidence while opening doors for future opportunities. Listen as Jenna Morton talks with Thomas Chamberlain, who turned an Honourable Mention into a 2 nd place and a book deal for h...

Episode Summary: One of the best ways to encourage writing and illustrating in the next generation is to put those professionals in classrooms with students. That’s just what the Writers in the Schools Program (WiSP) has been doing in New Brunswick for nearly 50 years! WiSP is funded through the provincial Department of Education and spans read aloud sessions, writing workshops, publishing discuss...

“It thrilled me to realize you could write about where you lived.” Ann Brennan Imagine a room filled with New Brunswick’s literary masters – teenage Sheree Fitch and David Adams Richards sitting alongside Alden Nowlan. Nancy Bauer takes us back to that reality in her living room, hosting Maritime Writers’ Workshops in the 1970s and paving the way for the creation of the Writers’ Federation of New...

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Learn more about the WFNB at www.wfnb.ca

Sue Sinclair and Jenna Morton discuss the art and practice of writing in New Brunswick, emphasising the importance of creating time and space for reflection upon life - and the unique way in which writing and reading can fulfil this need. They highlight the influence of place, purpose, and the vulnerability of putting one's work into the world. Sinclair emphasises the significance of community and...

Terry Armstrong discusses his diverse writing career, from songwriting to novel writing and scriptwriting. He shares his initial inspiration from a college professor and the importance of both positive and negative feedback in his development. Terry emphasises the value of alpha readers and the importance of writing for an audience, not just for oneself. He highlights the opportunities in New Brun...

Jenna Morton and Jennifer McGrath discuss the importance of embracing creative flexibility in writing, encouraging listeners to explore different genres and styles of writing without feeling guilty and taking advantage of the generous writing community in our region.. Jen stresses the value of not letting ego get in the way of creativity and exploring different sandboxes to foster more creativity....

Guest, Len Falkenstein - Director of Drama at UNB and New Brunswick Playwright - discusses the importance of developing new plays by New Brunswick writers and the value of creating work rooted in the province's unique cultural and political environment. Falkenstein shares his insights on the future of playwriting in New Brunswick, expressing hope for continued growth and diversity in the theatre s...

Leo LaFleur discusses the intersections of creativity and mental health with host Jenna Morton, sharing personal experiences and perspectives from his life. He emphasises the importance of creative expression and support systems in overcoming mental health challenges, and in finding and developing your creative voice. In the second part of the conversation, Leo discusses his collaborative work on...

Jenna Morton and Beth Powning discuss the writer's duty to the reader, emphasising honesty, empathy, and creating a satisfying reading experience. Beth shares her experiences as a writer from New Brunswick, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the writer and reader, the importance of observation in writing, and the power of words - particularly in difficult times. She also discu...